Josh Jung’s Unlikely Heroics
ARLINGTON — Josh Jung likes to swing the bat. He really likes to swing the bat. With the bases loaded, there might even be lust in his heart.
Which is why we’re, of course, going to talk about a walk.
The Game-Changing Walk
Yes, the Rangers slugged a couple of more homers in thrashing a hapless, hopeless Colorado team 8-3 on Wednesday to finish off a sweep to roll into the Lone Star Showdown against Houston this weekend on a five-game winning streak.
Wyatt Langford clubbed his second homer of the week just four pitches into the bottom of the first. Adolis García slugged the club’s 18th in nine games since Bret Boone and his Popeye forearms entered the chat. Even when the Rangers weren’t slugging, you knew they’d run into homers.
What made Jung’s night special is his willingness not to try to hit a homer in a situation where he was all but certain to swing for the fences. Jung came to the plate as the sixth hitter with the bases loaded in the first inning after five consecutive Rangers had hits and the club already led 2-0 on Langford’s homer.
A New Approach
Rather than expand his zone in a bid for immediate glory, he shrunk it, as struggling starter Antonio Senzatela begged him to chase sliders away. Even took a 3-0 heater right down the middle. Nobody could have blamed him for swinging at that one. But, after fouling off another fastball, he refused to keep going, letting a high full-count fastball go by for a run-scoring walk. It moved the line, allowed a run to score and set the tone for another big offensive night.
“You can get in swing mode in that situation and it may not be the pitch you want,” Rangers Bochy said. “But he quieted down, calmed things down and ended up taking a big walk.”
The Impact of Bret Boone
Borrowing from a story Boone told last week about former teammate Edgar Martinez’s unselfishness and its ability to rub off on teammates, well, if Josh Jung takes a walk, everybody can take one. Turns out almost everybody did. The Rangers walked seven times with two of them scoring and Jung forcing another run in with his.
Interestingly enough, Jung said he and Boone had discussed the exact situation that presented itself in the past week.
“We had talked through it,” Jung said. “And I felt like I was dialed in on what I wanted my approach to be.”
A Change in Jung’s Game
If there has been one criticism of Jung as a hitter, it’s been his unwillingness to walk. He entered the game with a 5.1% career walk rate, in the bottom 10% of players with at least 750 plate appearances since he made his debut in 2022. This season, he didn’t walk until his 17th game and had five in 100 plate appearances at the time the Rangers changed hitting coaches.
With the bases loaded, the numbers were worse. For his career, Jung had swung at 57.3% of the pitches he’d faced with the bases loaded. He walked once with the bases loaded, a month into his first full season. Not again. At least not until Wednesday when the temptation may have been to swing big, but the need was to keep a big inning moving.
Just another sign that perhaps no hitter has seemed to respond more positively to the coaching change than Jung, who has raved about Boone’s simple messaging. On Wednesday, in addition to the walk, he singled twice and is slashing .343/.382/.813/1.195 since the Rangers made the change.
Jung and Boone: A Winning Combination
“We’ve talked a lot about how we get back to being to where we want to be,” Jung said. “Individually and as a team. Sometimes that means not trying to do too much.”
Has Jung bonded with Boone?
“I’m having more fun,” Boone said.
And why is that?
“Well, the boys are banging.”
But, also, when need be, they can walk, too.
Conclusion
Josh Jung’s walk on Wednesday night was a game-changer, and it’s a testament to the positive impact that Bret Boone has had on the Rangers’ hitters. Jung’s willingness to take a walk and not try to do too much is a sign of maturity and a newfound understanding of the game.
As the Rangers continue to roll, it will be interesting to see how Jung and the rest of the team respond to the coaching change. One thing is for sure, though: Jung is having more fun, and that’s translating to success on the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was significant about Josh Jung’s at-bat on Wednesday night?
A: Jung took a walk with the bases loaded, which was a key moment in the game and a sign of his growing maturity as a hitter.
Q: How has Bret Boone impacted the Rangers’ hitters?
A: Boone’s simple messaging and emphasis on not trying to do too much have had a positive impact on the Rangers’ hitters, particularly Josh Jung.
Q: What is Jung’s career walk rate?
A: Jung has a 5.1% career walk rate, which is in the bottom 10% of players with at least 750 plate appearances since he made his debut in 2022.
Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant
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